City Council

City Council Work Session November 17, 2025 Present were: Mayor Cone, Councilors Korzen, Grenier, Valerino, Plourde, Higbee, Qualls and Theberge. Councilor Morency was absent. Others present: City Manager Phillip L. Warren Jr., Dir. Of Strat. Initiatives and Asst. City Mgr. Pamela Laflamme, Finance Director Holly Larsen, Deputy Chief of Police Nathan Roy, Recreation Director Duane Johnson, Lisa Connell, Berlin Daily Sun and Members of the Public. Mayor Cone opened the meeting at 6:31 p.m. Non-Public Session At 6:32 p.m., Councilor Valerino moved with a second from Councilor Grenier to enter into Non-Public Session per RSA 91-A:3 II; (a) The dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee. The motion carried unanimously by roll call. Council had a discussion with a personnel matter related to recent issues at the Recreation Center. No votes were taken. At 7:52 p.m., Councilor Grenier moved with a second from Councilor Valerino to come out of non-public session. The motion carried unanimously by roll call. Mayor, Councilors and staff came out of non-public session. At 7:53 p.m., there being no further business in Work Session, Mayor Cone recessed before moving on to the Regular Meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Danielle Rioux Executive Assistant *Minutes are unofficial until they have been accepted by the City Council by motion. CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, November 17, 2025 Public Hearing Mayor Cone opened the Public Hearing on Resolution 2025-27 Carnegie Corporation of New York Library at 8:02 pm. There were no public comments. Mayor Cone closed the Public Hearing at 8:02 pm. Mayor Cone opened the Public Hearing on Resolution 2025-28 Patriot Hydro Donation PD at 8:02 pm. There were no public comments. Mayor Cone closed the Public Hearing at 8:03 pm. Regular Meeting Mayor Cone called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 8:03 pm. a. Pledge of Allegiance b. Roll Call Present: Mayor Cone, Councilors Qualls, Higbee, Plourde, Valerino, Grenier, Korzen, and Theberge Absent: Councilor Morency Also present: City Manager Phillip Warren, Jr, Director of Strategic Initiatives Pamela Laflamme, Finance Director Holly Larsen, City Clerk Shelli Fortin, Deputy Chief Nathan Roy, Library Director Ann Brungot, Representative Lori Korzen, Amy Welch, Kelly Fortier, Lori Blais, Shauna Croteau, Irene Blais, other members of the public, and Lisa Connell, Berlin Daily Sun. c. Councilor Theberge moved, with a second by Councilor Korzen, to accept the minutes of the November 3, 2025, Regular Meeting and Work Session, and the November 10, 2025, Work Session. So moved, the motion passed. Disbursements: Disbursement Summary Draft # 1997 with a start date of 11/04/2025 and an end date of 11/17/2025 for a total cash disbursement of $893,792.23. Councilor Theberge moved, with a second by Councilor Higbee, to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as reviewed and approved by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENTS Kelly Fortier spoke concerning the WMUR report on the Recreation Center, which noted that two employees resigned, and one was on leave. Ms. Fortier suggested that the public deserves answers and suggested that there were HR violations at the Recreation Center and at City Hall as well. Ms. Fortier stated that Recreation Department programs have been disorganized and chaotic, and noted issues she has faced with her son in the program. Ms. Fortier asked about training, background checks, supervision, and qualifications. Irene Blais, of Goebel Street, also spoke concerning the Recreation Center, asking why taxpayers money is being spent on employees if they are not there to watch the children. Ms. Blais noted that children attend the Recreation Center for a place to be after school and for socialization. Ms. Blais noted that other people have come forward with issues, but are too scared to report them. Ms. Blais stated that she hoped everything would be taken into consideration to protect the children. Ms. Blais stated that the Director should be held responsible for the kids that are in his charge. Shauna Croteau, of 178 Bridge Street, stated that she has older children but feels the recreation program is outstanding. Ms. Croteau noted that parents need to know where their children are going, and just as if they were at the skate park she would not expect teens to watch them. Ms. Croteau noted that the Recreation Director has helped all of her children, who have been involved in lots of Recreation Department programs. Ms. Croteau stated that she wishes they could hear all of the sides of this story, and stated that she believes the Recreation Department has done a great job for the community. 1 Lori Blais, of 490 Goebel Street, noted that Berlin is a small town and rumors fly. Ms. Blais stated that people are losing sight of the concerns, which are the safety and well-being of the children. Ms. Blais stated that after this story was shared, she received a lot of comments and stories of games played at the expense of younger children. Ms. Blais advised she is concerned about patterns of behavior. Ms. Blais asked why this is allowed to continue and stated that the City cannot turn a blind eye. Ms. Blais noted that the allegations need to be investigated, just the facts, without being influenced by reputations. Irene Blais spoke again, asking who she should speak to with concerns. Mayor Cone advised that public comments can be addressed to him during the meeting, and concerns about day-to-day operations can be directed to the City Manager during business hours. Lori Korzen, of 788 Kent Street, stated that since she was at the last meeting, she has heard from parents and children about awful experiences at the Recreation Department, and shared what some of those were. Ms. Korzen noted that these things cannot happen, as the Council is elected to protect the community and the children. Ms. Korzen stated that now that the Council knows about it, they cannot turn their cheek and endanger kids. Ms. Korzen noted that just because someone is a good coach, does not make them a good Recreation Director. Ms. Korzen noted that when a parent brought this up to the City Manager, he stated that the position only pays $30,000 per year, so they cannot afford someone with high moral character. Amy Welch, of 505 Hillside Avenue, stated that this issue should not be focused on one person but on the safety of the children. Ms. Welch noted that she has been in and out of the Recreation department over the last twenty years and has noticed questionable behavior from many people on many occasions, as well as in parks and other City departments. Ms. Welch noted that the defamatory comments about people working at the Recreation Department have shamed everyone associated. Ms. Welch encouraged people to let the Police Department investigate. Ms. Welch noted that comments made impact more than just the people directly involved with the incident. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Council Committee Reports There were no Council Committee Reports. 2. Resolution 2025-27 Carnegie Corporation of New York Library (tabled 11/03/2025) In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Five A RESOLUTION authorizing acceptance of a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: WHEREAS, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries across the United States between 1886 and 1917, guided by his belief that libraries serve as “cradles of democracy”; and WHEREAS, built and dedicated in 1903 through a generous $17,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, the Berlin Public Library has remained in uninterrupted operation as a public library since the day it first opened its doors.; and WHEREAS, this enduring gift is recognized as part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a national initiative commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the 1,280 Carnegie Libraries that continue to enrich and serve their communities across the nation. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: That the City Manager is authorized to receive gift funds in the amount of $10,000 from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and all gift proceeds shall be deposited with the City Treasurer, and the City Manager is authorized to do all things necessary to effectuate this gift. 2 This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to remove Resolution 2025-27 from the table. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-27 for a second time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-27 for a third time. So moved the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to pass Resolution 2025-27. So moved, the motion carried. 3. Resolution 2025-28 Patriot Hydro Donation PD (tabled 11/03/2025) In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Five A RESOLUTION authorizing the Berlin Police Commission to accept a $2,000.00 donation from Patriot Hydro Funding and appropriate said donation to a Berlin Police Department Patriot Hydro Equipment Grant Fund for said amount. Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: WHEREAS Patriot Hydro generously donated $2,000.00 to the Berlin Police Department to enhance the safety of the officers and the Citizens of the City of Berlin and the State of New Hampshire. NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Berlin, NH, that the Berlin Police Commission is hereby authorized to accept the donation granted to the Berlin Police Department from Patriot Hydro and that said funds are hereby appropriated for use by the Berlin Police Department. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to remove Resolution 2025-28 from the table. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-28 for a second time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-28 for a third time. So moved the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to pass Resolution 2025-28. So moved, the motion carried. NEW BUSINESS 1. City Manager’s Report 1. Attached is the October 2025 Real Estate Transfer Report. 2. Attached please find the BWW – Municipal Water Usage from July 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025 (November 2025 Billing Quarter). 3. Attached is the October 2025 Activity Report for the Police Department. 4. We received today the structural analysis of the stairwell at City Hall – HEB recommends installing either a lift that will fit in the existing area or pursuing a different design as they cannot recommend modification of the stairwell due to the load bearing nature of the supports behind it. This office will now have to pursue a different option and location as we have been advised by the 3  manufacturer and the state that the proposed lift systems will not work in this area. One option to consider is placing a limited use elevator next to the rear stairwell of City Hall and then installing a stairway lift to allow for access to the main and second floors, there are no restrictions to installing a stairwell lift in these areas. The basement would still have access as the lift there would remain. Our options are very limited due to the type of construction, lack of floor alignment and lack of real estate around City Hall. 5. This office is working directly with Recreation staff to formalize processes at that department, including participant accountability, incident reporting, employee training and service delivery. A formalized complaint system has been enacted where all complaints or concerns received will be tracked as well as the resolution of the issue. The camera system at the center has suffered a failure of the hard drive where recordings are stored, staff are working with the vendor who installed the system to get a replacement hard drive installed. 6. Sand barrels are being placed at established locations throughout the city. 7. As you are aware, US DOT removed the heating component of the RAISE grant, requiring us to file an amended project scope without the heating component – the engineer of this project is completing that at present. 8. DES has offered us guidance on how the landfill gas issue at the East Milan Road landfill needs to be corrected. The engineering firm has advised that this required project will cost in the vicinity of $250,000. This is a required improvement that will be included in the CIP. City Manager Warren noted that out of fifteen arm’s length transactions on the Real Estate Transfer Report, only two were under the assessed value. City Manager Warren noted that the project at the East Milan Road landfill is to prevent migration of landfill gas. Councilor Valerino moved, with a second by Councilor Korzen, to accept the City Manager’s report as presented and place it on file. Councilor Theberge asked if there was an estimated cost for the lift at City Hall. City Manager Warren advised that they first have to see if two entrances would be allowed to the building, then conduct a feasibility study, before estimating the cost. Councilor Theberge asked about a port-a-potty on the Riverwalk, and City Manager Warren advised that Best Management Practices would not allow one so close to the waterway. This would be an attractive nuisance, and could be knocked over by high winds. Councilor Korzen asked if the landfill gas could be collected and sold, similar to what AVRRDD is doing. City Manager Warren noted that the East Milan Road landfill does not have the volume for a project like that. Mayor Cone asked if the lift variance request has been re-submitted under the new State leadership, and City Manager Warren advised it has been, and they were not successful. Mr. Warren noted that the lift design has changed due to newer wheelchairs being larger and taller. The lift will not fit in the stairwell in the area from the basement to the first floor. So moved, the motion carried. 2. Mayor’s Report There was no Mayor’s Report. 3. Public Comments Irene Blais spoke again, apologizing for how the comments concerning the Recreation Department affect family and friends and noted that she is sorry there are hard feelings. Ms. Blais noted that those on the other side are also sad that it happened. Ms. Blais stated that children cannot speak for themselves, and trust adults to tell their stories for them. 4 4. Council Comments There were no Council comments. 7. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Higbee, seconded by Councilor Grenier, the Council voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 pm. So moved, the motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Shelli Fortin City Clerk Note: Minutes are unofficial until they have been accepted by the Council by motion. 5